Politics & Government

"Breakfast with Legislators" Serves Lesson in Public Campaign Financing

Without having to worry about raising campaign funds, elected officials can concentrate on their work, they say.

 

State Senators Martin Looney, representing Hamden, and Leonard Fasano, representing North Haven, joined Hamden Reps. Alfred Adinolfi, Brendan Sharkey, and Peter Villano, and North Haven Representative Dave Yaccarino, when they met with constituents at individual tables and as a panel at the Hamden-North Haven League of Women Voters Breakfast with the Legislators Jan. 28, held at in Hamden.

The constituents found out that the state legislators attending the Breakfast receive public financing from the Citizens’ Election Program, CEP, to run their campaign and, therefore, no longer need to keep raising funds for re-election campaigns but can focus on their work.

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Rep. Sharkey, who had been running unopposed until the public campaign finance law was passed in 2005, now faces challengers for his seat because newcomers have a shot at challenging incumbents. He continues to be a strong supporter of CEP, however, because he says facing challengers has made him into a better legislator.

If candidates want to campaign using public funds (the funds come from abandoned state property, not from taxes), they must first raise $5,000 if running for Representative or $15,000 for Senator. Sounds like not much, until you learn that the sum must be raised from donations of $5 to $100, to allow citizens of even modest means to participate in the election process. And 150 of the donors supporting a future Representative and 300 of donors supporting a future Senator must be from among their future constituents.

Find out what's happening in Hamdenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, policy-oriented organization that works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and seeks to influence public policy through education and advocacy. The League also encourages informed and active participation in government.

The League welcomes new members, including men (since 1974). For more information,  contact Membership@lwvct.org, call 203-288-7955, or visit www.lwvct.org


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